Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Ideas

Looking for ways to keep you kids occupied and entertained while you prepare the Thanksgiving feast? Here are three great ideas.

Lights, Camera, Action

Inspire little documentarians. Using their smartphones, kids can capture the antics in the kitchen or interview their grandparents and other relatives then make a short film or trailer using the iMovie app (available at iTunes for $4.99). What better way to cap off the evening than with a private showing of your child’s latest film? Bravo!

Slide Shows

Arm kids with cameras and challenge them to come up with a story of the day’s events. Once the film is developed, they can make a slide show and send it to family and friends. Inexpensive disposable cameras are available from Fujifilm, Kodak and other manufacturers at Amazon.com.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go

For the more active set, organize a scavenger hunt—a recipe scavenger hunt, that is. Pick a recipe (cookies or muffins work well), then have the kids copy it. Armed with their recipe, have the kids team up to collect the ingredients from neighbors and friends. When they’re done, have them roll up their sleeves and cook. In addition, encourage them to say “thank you” to the neighbors who participated by delivering a sample of the treat the kids created. They’ll get to know the neighbors and soak up some vitamin D for growing strong bones at the same time.

—Karry Hosford, Relish Contributing Editor

Looking for some side dishes that you're kids will love? Try these easy recipes.